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I know you can buy a pass to swim at Lake Myosotis at the Hyuck Preserve, but they don't make it easy. You have to already be a member of the preserve, and THEN you need to pay an additional fee to use the beach, and it's not cheap. I get that it's to deter crowds and also raise money for a worthy cause, but yikes. On the flip side, it must be a very peaceful place to relax, and I know how beautiful it is there.

Does anyone know more about the "Mater Christi Pool"? I'm confused about the location because the Academy of the Holy Names is on New Scotland Road (not Ave) but I'm not aware of any pool around there. Mater Christi church and school are on New Scotland Ave (at the corner of Hurst Ave) - does the pool have any relation to that?

Mater Christi pool is adjacent to the NYS Dept of Corrections training facility on New Scotland Rd. The building was formerly the Albany diocesan minor seminary and its name was Mater Christi Seminary.

I love lake swimming and the list here is missing many public lakes. I'd submit a list of all the public lakes I've found in the Capital Region if someone would show me how to post an article. Lakes I go to in Rensselaer County include Snyder's Lake, Reichard's Lake, Crooked Lake, along with Grafton State Park. Collins Lake in Schenectady County has only a shallow swimming area but is a short drive for people in Schenectady or Scotia. Mostly I go to Snyder's Lake because of the convenience to Albany, but Crooked Lake is prettier. I have lots more information, just ask me about it.

Does anyone know of any 50-meter (olympic distance) pools in the area? The Cohoes pool only lets "outsiders" in during the weekend and charges $7 and the pool in the Saratoga Spa State Park never sets up for olympic-length lap-swimming. If it helps, I live in downtown Albany. Thanks!

Mater Christi pool closed two days after it opened - the liner ripped on June 26th and who knows if or when it will be fixed before the season ends. I say let's walk across the street to the Mayor's house and take a dip in his pool!

@Sean: actually even if the Peerless Pool (which is my fav in the area) was set up for Olympic length it would not be practical/usable since it slopes from 3 feet back to 0 in the last 10 meters or so in that direction (to make entrance easier for kids). If you find one though, I'm interested too.

Quick note about Thompson's Lake State Park (10am-6pm, closed Tuesday and Wednesday, parking $7 per car). It was hot as hell in Thacher Park last weekend so we pushed to Thompson's Lake, a few minutes west. If you are looking for a quick dip when it's "closed" and don't care much for sand anyway, there is free (as in free) access across the beach, on the other side of the lake. Cedar Lane is the "hidden path" that leads to it.

@summer: as much as I like trespassing, yes this seems legal. Makes me sad people consider lakes as "private" but in that case no issue, just follow Cedar Lane and stop your car where I marked it, I think it was an old boat access. The lake bed is a bit rocky and weedy but hey, it's not a pool, right? Nobody bothered us.

I thought I'd try the Albany Lincoln pool today. I live in Albany and I love to swim outdoors in summer. I'm a lap swimmer and this pool is awesome. First, it was almost empty, so I had plenty of room. It's beautiful to look out at the huge pine trees in my peripheral vision. At first I thought the water was too cold, but it was fine once I was in and very refreshing. IT'S HUGE! I'm betting the diameter of the deep area is over 50 meters. Easy in and out. Close parking, lockers (bring a quarter or your own lock) and it's free, open 7 days a week. Very friendly atmosphere, marble showers, classic!

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It's a definitely a start. Liking the thinking. The innovative redevelopment of unused/underused spaces only stands to benefit a city and its region, serving as an inspiration to others around the world. Mix that in with the addition of more parks, greenery and public spaces and you've got a higher quality of life across the board. ...